I've been responding to an accusation I read on FB about mans current war on women. In my household, I believe there is gender equality. In my life, I do not wage war on women. In my history, I have never put or kept women in a lower social status than men. Am I missing something in todays world? I thought the sexual revolution was fought and won.

[fishsandwich]

They might be referring to the fact that US Republicans seem intent on removing all of women's rights. In several states, it is functionally impossible to get an abortion because of a lack of providers. (Sometimes, abortion providers are in serious physical danger; some have been murdered.) There are serious pushes to make procuring an abortion more expensive and more cumbersome; in some states they have tried to outlaw it entirely.

There is near-constant demonization of single mothers, too. Talking about how they should have kept their legs shut, or how they're just having kids to get welfare payments. There are big pushes to change the rules so that health insurance plans don't have to cover birth control. (And birth control is characterised as an issue which affects only women, but patently it affects men too - any man who has heterosexual sex but doesn't want children.)

A few months ago, a college student at a prestigious university testified about why birth control should be covered by health insurance plans. After she testified, Rush Limbaugh went on his radio show and said that she was a '*****' who 'expected the government to pay for her to have sex'.

Planned parenthood has lost a ton of funding; so have many state-funded nurseries and daycare centres. A whole preschool programme for low-income families called 'First Start' was shut down. Many women feel like changes to the funding of nursery programmes disproportionally affects women, because women are disproportionally responsible for childcare. And that's not to mention the loss of funding for a lot of rape crisis and domestic violence support centres - again, issues which affect predominately women.

I dunno, I could keep writing examples but I'm starting to get depressed. I don't even live in America and I find these things highly troubling.

[fishsandwich]

Also, the fact that you don't diminish or maltreat women does not mean that other men/people don't, sadly.

[costello]

Originally Posted by brookwest

I thought the sexual revolution was fought and won.

Maybe the enemy was just regrouping for another assault.

[fishsandwich]

I mean, we still live in a world where I can get raped by three different men and people will suggest that maybe I'm just a 'slut' or that I should fight harder next time. So many things wrong with that, it does my head in.

Sorry, I'll stop coming up with examples now.

Okay, umm I'm starting to understand. I have been dealing with my own issues and those of my families for so long, I've been missing this. I've been trying to be understanding to the republican meltdown, in regard to cultural change in the USA. I guess I'll have to deal with this. I'll begin to do the reading and become informed. I do not want women to bear children against their wishes or undergo illegal abortions. Abusive men will roll over their women to other vulnerable people, like disabled poor men, like me. It sounds to be not only the right thing, but necessary for my own survival. tks...

[fishsandwich]

I'm glad there are men like you in the world, Brookwest

[roads]

There's also the problem that women won the right to go to work, but we still make less than men in the same job. When I was hired to my first job in 1973, the male hired at the same time with the same qualifications started at a 12% higher salary. Things haven't changed a whole lot since then. Women don't get advancements either at the same rate as men. The Good Old Boys' Network, by and large, runs business.

As it should be? So "they" say. They, of course, being GOBs.

I sound bitter because I am. I've been here, hearing this, for 40+ years. Nothing, essentially, has changed ... and the little the has "they" love to threaten to take away. Remind us they can.

My opinion.

No, not all men by a long shot. Not even most, maybe, especially of the younger men.

[unaluna]

plus the Vatican is harassing the nuns in the US. So it's not just women who are having sex or working who are being pushed around - it's women who have taken vows of obedience, poverty and chastity who apparently still haven't given up enough. wtf.

I grew up in the middle of the cultural revolution of the 60s. It was difficult for me because everyone seemed preoccupied and angry. I felt invisable. Now it is the same for kids, as it was for me, it seems. The adults are preoccupied and angry. I hope my step-son has some idea of what a happy harmonious couple might look like, with my wife and I. We are not problem free, but we do not yell, scream or insult or hit and degrade. If anything we are lazy and kinda apathetic. He grew up with cats and a dog and other pets and friends and toys. In a way I'm glad I never impregrated a women and produced a child. I do not ever want to have to say, "weclcome to the world" unless the world becomes less scary and painful. I think life aught to be simple.